The Pittsburgh Press (July 16, 1941)
One girl’s view: “Worse than being yoo-hooed is not to be yoo-hooed”
Editor, The Pittsburgh Press:
The incident of the yoo-hooing soldiers has caused much comment in the papers. We’ve also had the opinion of General Lear himself, the opinion of Congress, and now here’s one from the “gals” no less. Although this is being endorsed by one girl, I am sure it will be seconded and approved by all the girls as their very own sentiment also.
Most girls feel that being whistled at or yoo-hooed at is one of the most nerve-wracking experiences that happens to modest mademoiselles. It is very strange but true, although it is annoying, cat-calling and shouting seems to be a sincere form of our American lads’ appreciation. Needless to say, the girls themselves who prize their dignity prefer more dignified approaches denoting admiration. It’s just that the American boys are extremely shy about seriously showing genuine emotion, which has resulted in this lightly repulsive form (doubtless these are an outgrowth from American humor and lightness, our national characteristics). From what can be gathered, the whistling, etc., can mean anything from “Boy, not bad, not bad,” or “Um, um, you’ll do for me” to “Wow, red hot mama” – whatever all that means.
As was mentioned before, this is very nerve-wracking for the female involved, as you can see. In fact, it is so nerve-wracking an experience that there is only one thing that surpasses it in being nerve-wracking, and that is in not being whistled at, or yoo-hooed at.
HELEN THOKAR
Murrysville, PA
Sees FDR leading America into war
Editor, The Pittsburgh Press:
One more step by President Roosevelt will complete the finishing touch of involvement on the European conflict. He has said that “our first line of defense was on the Rhine.” And we are getting there very rapidly. Our President has one more of his many alluring promises to break, and that may not be very far hence. Some of these mornings we’ll wake up and find ourselves in the war with Axis powers. And this is the country that is supposed to be governed by the representatives of the people, instead of one man.
Our country today is run by Roosevelt, Stimson, and Knox and a few warmongers partial to Britain.
JOHN F. MASTRI
1105 Hiland Ave.
Coraopolis, PA
Sees ‘Red corpuscles’ of America in danger
Editor, The Pittsburgh Press:
The American people are really in danger of being isolated, since the last convulsion of the red corpuscle is in danger of being destroyed, meaning true individualism.
Why do the majority of the American people vote in favor of this law of self-preservation and still find room to tolerate the advances of the enemy without so much as a side glance at the issue?
Democracy we all say “is in jeopardy.” Hence rises the complexities of the Russian affair. So do we or do we not stand with them when we are succoring the forces of the mighty?
Will the remnants of a great idea ever give way to the might of discipline, or will the law that has governed the evolutionary way of things remain intact in its true form? Are we, the American people, going to permit at this time propaganda because our idealistic principles are based on the individual way of existence? Isolation is fine for vegetation and since Senator Wheeler appreciates the fact, we who are desirous otherwise conclude to justify the opposite concerning our conduct.
When we fortify ourselves in houses of glass, it would be well to remember that even bulletproof glass is not immune to aerial offensive simply because the age-old theory of hiding your head in the sand has become obsolete.
VIDA SHUTTLEWORTH
2124 Bentley Dr.
Scores Lindy’s point of view
Editor, The Pittsburgh Press:
Everybody knows, including Charles A. Lindbergh, that the standard of living of the masses in this country are higher than of the masses of Hitler Germany. Yet day in and day out Lindbergh urges us to be friends with a country which is contrary to ours.
The American masses possess not only a high standard of living but the individual liberty to think for himself, if they choose to think. Not under Hitler.
JULIUS MEHR
Clairton, PA